Could the European Union evolve into a supranational civil sphere? An analysis of European integration policies during crises

The European dream embodies the solidaristic coexistence of its member states, which adhere to, uphold, and safeguard the supranational values and norms of the European Union (EU). European integration, through the development of a more comprehensive form of solidarity supported by EU institutions, aims to supersede the particularistic interests of national member states, thereby emphasising the primacy of EU values and norms across the Union. In other words, the European dream portrays the EU as a sphere of inclusive solidarity, a civil space that unites the lifeworlds of member states into a single European community. Simultaneously, through the overarching principle of inclusive solidarity, the diversity inherent within these lifeworlds is preserved. Such ever-closer integration is indeed a European dream that has never been realised. In practice, the EU is weakened by particularistic national interests masquerading as collective European values, and the erosion of European institutions is apparent. In addition, there is growing scepticism regarding the European dream. Eurosceptics argue that the EU and its supranational ideals are unsuitable and harmful to their member states’ lifeworlds, and that the pursuit of the European dream by ‘Brussels bureaucrats’ has caused profound damage to their nations, provoking deep and dangerous crises. Nowadays, crises driven by the Eurosceptic politics of fear persistently accompany European progress. However, some analysts contend that crisis mobilisation may be transformed into a positive catalyst for European integration and even help to mitigate particularistic Eurosceptic tendencies. Could European integration through crises act as a panacea for particularism? Could crises help to legitimise European solidarity, transforming the EU into a supranational civil sphere? We aim to address these questions by analysing the efficacy of Union integration policies and their responses to the significant crises within the EU, including the most recent incidents – the Energy and Security Crises triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.